For the most part, Survivor 50 has been a lot of fun, but one singular casting misstep threatens to bring down the landmark season. It is still mind-boggling that they decided to bring back Benjamin “Coach” Wade for this season of stars.
Coach was barely tolerable during the first three times he played. There was a brief time when the producers seemed enamored of Coach. He appeared in three seasons in quick succession—seasons 18, 20, and 23. He finished second in South Pacific, the last time he was on the show until now.
The problem with Coach is that he constantly harps about playing the game with honor and integrity, but he's a narcissistic hypocrite. He bullies, bosses, intimidates, and backstabs his way through each game, all the while standing on a soapbox telling everyone else that only honor and integrity will be allowed.
The biggest issue is that he probably believes he is playing that kind of game. That's how narcissism works. He's always seen himself as a hero. He was famously upset about being on the villains tribe in Heroes vs. Villains.
News flash: Hey, Coach. You are a villain.
There are plenty of villains that are likable, even beloved. Rob Mariano, Parvati Shallow, and Sandra Diaz-Twine were all villains and all loved by fans. Coach is right up there with Russell Hantz and Abi Maria Gomes as unlikable villains.
Survivor 50 episode 7 is further proof Coach Wade deserves his villain legacy
Coach, at his most pompous, declared to the whole merged tribe after the Blood Moon triple vote that everyone must play the game with honor and integrity. That any other behavior wasn't going to be allowed. Whatever, Coach. Go dunk your head.
As usual, Coach goes around giving his allies goofy nicknames and naming his alliance. This season, the alliance is called The Four Horsemen (as in of the Apocalypse). Yeah, that screams integrity. When Coach condescended to tell Rizo he was bringing the youngster into The Four Horsemen to replace the departed Colby Donaldson, Rizo dutifully nodded and went along.
Rizo then, in a confessional, almost gleefully showed disdain for Coach and his ridiculous approach. Rizo is there to play the game, and he's going to do whatever he needs to for survival. If that means playing to Coach's ego, Rizo will do it as long as it suits his game.
Coach and his top henchman, Jonathan Young, decided Dee Valladares needed to go because Dee did not tell the latter about the Charlie Davis vote. Dee was an acceptable target because she also got caught spreading news of Rizo's formerly secret idol. Her alliance of Cirie, Rizo, and Ozzy was upset, and so Dee was on the outs, and she knew it.
Coach's behavior grew more erratic throughout the episode. He came up with a plan to place votes on both Dee and another Dee ally, Tiffany Ervin. He was very demanding on who should vote for whom, but few people wanted to put votes on Tiffany.
Coach bullied and pushed so hard, insulting players like Christian Hubicki in the process, that he became a target himself. His strange behavior around camp, outside his threats and pontification on how the game will be played, made some people start looking at Coach as a target.
Coach, who had lain around all day, making up goofy haikus, decided to lay aside the new persona he'd assigned himself (Tide Walker, or Wave Tamer, or some other lame nickname) and to embrace his original, villainous Dragon Slayer moniker ( which he bestowed on himself so many years ago).
In the end, however, the whole tribe of 14, outside of Dee and Tiffany, fell into line and did what Coach commanded. They split the votes among those two on the outside. Dee played her shot in the dark and wasn't safe. Despite her pleas during the tribal council that she had the votes to take at Coach, the only vote he received was from Tiffany, and Dee was sent home.
It is baffling as to why everyone gave in to Coach's demands. It makes no sense. Dee was an easy target, but she was also a tremendous shield, being the only remaining previous winner left. Why did everyone do as they were told? Why does anyone, apart from his two lackeys, Jonathan and Joe Hunter, want Coach around? Something is being lost in the edit.
All fans can do now is hope that people will come to their senses and get Coach out of the game soon. His act is bringing down an otherwise fine season.